A Piece of Computing History

Sotheby’s has unveiled its latest 'History of Science & Technology' auction lineup, highlighted by a particularly noteworthy artifact: a functional Apple-1 computer, serial number 01-0033. Manufactured in 1976, this machine belongs to the inaugural batch of 50 units hand-assembled by Steve Wozniak, marking the beginning of Apple’s commercial journey.


The Provenance of Unit 01-0033

In a promotional video released by the auction house, current owner Harry Sadler demonstrates the machine's capabilities, including the booting process. Sadler originally acquired the unit from the famous Byte Shop in 1976. During his early years with the device, he utilized it primarily as a hobbyist tool for programming in BASIC.

Interestingly, the history of this specific unit is deeply intertwined with the company's founders. Sadler recounts taking the machine back to the Byte Shop for minor repairs shortly after purchase, where he encountered Steve Jobs and inquired about employment. While that initial attempt at a job was unsuccessful, the connection proved lasting. Decades later, when Apple acquired Siri Inc. in 2010, Sadler—who was the tenth employee at the startup—finally became a part of the Apple organization.


Auction Details and Included Accessories

The auction house estimates the value of this rare piece to be between $300,000 and $500,000. The lot is remarkably comprehensive, including:

  • Original keyboard and cassette deck
  • Vintage monitor
  • Complete set of original documentation, including the Operation Manual, Apple Basic Manual, and Cassette Interface Manual
  • Various software programs on cassettes

Other Notable Tech Artifacts

The auction is not limited to the Apple-1. The 'History of Science & Technology' sale also features several other significant items, such as:

The NeXT Computer used by Steve Jobs during the 1988 'NeXT Introduction' presentation, as well as a secondary unit used for European demonstrations.

Additionally, the collection includes vintage hardware such as the 1974 Mark-8 minicomputer and the MITS Altair 8800, alongside early, factory-sealed Macintosh systems. The sale also showcases various artifacts associated with historical giants like Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, and Richard Feynman. The auction is scheduled for July 15, commencing at 14:00 EDT at Sotheby’s New York location.